Friday, April 10, 2009

Based on the historical evidence, small extravagances serve as substitutes for the more expensive pleasures to which we might treat ourselves if times were better, and incomes higher. We'll pick up some flowers or chocolate as a substitute for the nicer, more lavish treats we might ordinarily consume.

And we make similar substitutions in our gift-giving, too. If you can't afford to spend much on a gift for a friend or loved one, why not spend what you do have on a sweet chocolate indulgence. It's one of the reasons chocolate has made U.S. News & World Report's 10 Winners in the Recession list.